LOS ANGELES – As Rafael Furcal approaches a return to the lineup, there seems to be a difference of opinion about the best route to take.

Furcal, who has been on the disabled list since May 6 with lower back soreness, took ground balls and hit some soft toss Monday. He took some swings in the batting cage on Sunday.

Despite his slow recovery, Furcal maintains his opinion that he does not need to head out on a minor-league rehabilitation assignment before he is activated. Manager Joe Torre seems to have a different idea.

“As opposed to the last time where we weren’t sure if he needed to go on a rehab, I’m guessing that’s a given right now,” Torre said.

It would be a given if Torre had the complete say-so, but he always has taken into consideration the opinions of others, including the player involved.

While with the Yankees, the decision makers once thought it would be best for an ailing Jason Giambi to go down to the minor leagues to find his swing. Giambi declined and Torre relented.

Furcal could wind up getting the same treatment. In his absence the Dodgers have struggled for offense, so Torre seems willing to do whatever makes his spark plug happy.

“There are certain guys that get your attention when you lose them,” Torre said. “The Yankees this year, they lost (Jorge) Posada. It was the same when the Red Sox lost (Jason) Varitek a few years ago.

“No question (Furcal) would be one of those players here. Not only on the offensive side but sitting in the middle of the diamond you miss someone with his ability and just his presence.”

SCHMIDT HIT ON LEG

The clock has stopped on Jason Schmidt’s 30-day rehabilitation assignment, meaning the right-hander will get more time to recover.

Schmidt has been pitching in the minor leagues as he nears a return from a nearly one-year absence because of shoulder surgery. But in his last rehab start Saturday for Single-A Inland Empire, Schmidt was hit on the leg by a comebacker.

The leg injury is not considered serious, but it was enough to knock Schmidt off his schedule.

MISSING IN THE CLINCH

Before Monday’s games, the Dodgers and Angels each scored 24 runs since May 23, tied for lowest total over that stretch.

The Angels, who played one less game than the Dodgers over that time, went 6-3. The Dodgers went 2-8, including a just-completed 1-6 road trip.

Torre said his young club still needs to learn how to win when the offense isn’t there like the Angels have managed to do. The Angels had four last at-bat victories on their just-completed homestand.

“That’s the one thing we have been very inconsistent with is the type of offense we’ve thrown out there,” Torre said.